For a summary of the latest Watkins School Board meeting, click here.

For photos of the 2013 Odessa-Montour prom, click here.

For photos of the 2013 Watkins Glen prom, click here.

WGHS Model UN Class students pose with their signs on the Seneca Lake Pier.

WGHS students protest LPG storage as part of class project

WATKINS GLEN, May 23 -- Watkins Glen High School's introductory Model United Nations class had a choice of three subjects to pursue as part of its final project.

One had to do with the recent debate over gun control, another with helping raise funds for victims and families affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. The third had to do with something closer to home: the proposed storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in salt caverns owned by the Inergy Midstream firm north of Watkins Glen, along the western shore of Seneca Lake.

According to teacher Marie Fitzsimmons, groups within the class prepared papers on each subject and then resolutions based on what they had learned. And then the class voted on the resolution it wished to pursue -- the winner being one opposed to the LPG storage plans.

As part of the class project, the students agreed to two marches -- one Wednesday evening and one the following evening -- starting at the Seneca Harbor Park, going south on Franklin Street to the State Park and then north again to the park and the adjoining pier. The march Wednesday, under sunny and humid conditions, finished with a group photo on the pier (see top).

Most of the dozen Model UN class students, along with other history students who gained extra credit for participating, marched with enthusiasm and a number of chants provided them by the Gas Free Seneca group that opposes the storage plan.

Get up, get down,
There's people power in the town.

Seneca Lake we will protect,
Energy we will reject.

Whose lake? Our lake.
Whose future? Our future.

There was one opposition note among the gathering: history student John Smith (pictured at right), whose father is an Inergy official at its Watkins Glen plant.

"I believe that in a democracy, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion," he said. "But we need to be more educated on this subject before making decisions."

The rest of the students chanted while they marched, drawing honks and thumbs-up from passing motorists -- except for one man who yelled: "Go back to Ithaca."

Before marching, the students gathered in the park to talk about their project and exchange opinions with spectators, most of whom appeared to be with Gas Free Seneca. The students -- such as class Secretary General Samantha Gill, along with Rachael Miller, LynnAnn Caslin and Lydia Myers -- all expressed the desire to protect the area's tourism industry and the lake from what they see as the dangers of the storage project.

The class project included contacting Inergy and the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (which sent a representative to talk to the students at school Wednesday), and an appearance before the Schuyler County Legislature on June 5th.

"I think it's great," said teacher Fitzsimmons, who marched with the students and led some of their chants. Such a project, she said, teaches the kids a number of things, not the least of which "are citizenship and participation."

Photos in text:

Top: Students (from left) Rachael Miller, LynnAnn Caslin, Chelsea Kennard and Lydia Myers march on Franklin Street. Obscured on the right is Model UN student Nate Beaumont.

Bottom: John Smith, the one voice at the march that was not protesting the LPG storage.

6th graders creating cards for our military

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 21 -- The 6th grade students at Watkins Glen Middle School are celebrating the upcoming Memorial Day holiday by creating cards to be sent to our military.

Trish Ervay’s classes are creating cards by hand and sending them to A Million Thanks -- amillionthanks.org -- an organization that forwards letters to our troops. The organization is also involved in other programs such as Wounded Soldier's Wish and Fund A Scholar, which supports the Armed Forces Children's Education Fund.

Diane Wood’s Computer Skills classes are creating computer-generated cards using Microsoft Publisher. Those cards will be sent through the Blue Star Mothers of America's New York Chapter No. 1, based in Rochester. They are the Moms of the military. Their goal is to take care of our deployed soldiers with boxes full of a touch of home.

Photo in text: Making cards in Computer Skills class. (Photo provided)

NY State Lifeguard Exam set for June 7

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 21 -- The Finger Lakes State Parks will be holding their annual New York State Lifeguard Exam at the Watkins Glen High School, 12th Street, Watkins Glen at 5:30 p.m. sharp on Friday, June 7.

Candidates are encouraged to arrive one hour prior to the exam to register and be given an opportunity to practice their CPR skills.

New candidates and returning lifeguards must pass the exam in order to be considered for a position in the upcoming season. Candidates are required to bring their picture ID and their own pocket masks for the CPR portion of the exam.

Visit www.nysparks.com for a list of all the qualifying procedures and prerequisites to employment or for other exam dates and locations.

Candidates are encouraged to pre-register by either calling the Finger Lakes State Parks Regional Office at (607) 387-7041 x 113 or by e-mail at Bonnie.Jepsen@parks.ny.gov.

WGES students learn about aviation careers

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 18 -- First Air Commercial pilots Tom Freeman and Shona Freeman landed a helicopter on the Watkins Glen Central School District football field Friday morning to give fifth-grade students a closer look at careers in aviation.

Their visit was part of Career Day for fifth-grade students at Watkins Glen Elementary School, organized by the school and the Career Development Council.

Other guests representing careers in the performing arts, healthcare and computers also spoke to students.

Photo in text: Tom Freeman explains how a helicopter stays in the air and what a pilot needs to do to land it safely. Students also learned about the various routes for gaining a pilot's license and the variety of different aviation careers available. (Photo provided)

CCC rep to meet with prospective students

Special to The Odessa File

CORNING, May 11 -- A Corning Community College representative will host community visits on the following dates to meet with prospective students considering attending college to attain degrees or to enhance their career opportunities.

Information will be available about CCC’s new residence hall slated to open in August, four completely online degrees, courses at the Bath VA Medical Center and Haverling High School, the Accelerated Senior Year program, summer 2013 courses, fall 2013 admission dates, enhanced opportunities and services for members of the military and veterans, student services, and academic programs.

Community visits will be in:

· MONTOUR FALLS on Thursday, May 16 and June 6, from 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street.

· BATH on Monday, May 20; June 3 and 17, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Bath VA Medical Center, Hospital Lobby, 76 Veterans Avenue.

For more information, contact Debbie Stayer Kelly, associate director of Recruitment Outreach, at (607) 936-5537 or dstayerk@corning-cc.edu.

Bids are next as Glen district
gets go-ahead on construction

WATKINS GLEN, May 8 -- The Watkins Glen School District has received approval to move forward on the construction phase of its plan to consolidate into a single campus.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, under the agenda heading "Update on State Education Department Project Approval," told the School Board Tuesday night that he was "pleased to announce we have our building permits" and can thus "move forward with the consolidation project."

Bids will be open on May 14 at 2 p.m. in the district bus garage, with acceptance at the May 20 Board meeting. "We continue to get requests for tours" of the Middle School, he said, "by people interested" in purchasing it. The school is being closed as part of the consolidation project.

"Some are local, some regional and some completely out of the area," he said of the potential buyers, adding that he doesn't think the building will stand vacant for long.

As the construction bid opening nears, he said, "contractors from all over the state" have been inquiring about the campus consolidation, which includes the addition of some classrooms and renovation of such things as the cafeteria and the library. The latter, Phillips said, will be "vacated next year," its operations "set up in temporary space" before it reopens in March.

The entire campus project is scheduled for completion "a year from September," Phillips noted.

The Board also:

--Held a public hearing on the budget, with Phillips and District Business Manager Gayle Sedlack explaining the spending plan to a handful of district residents present. A vote on the budget -- which calls for a 4.82% tax-levy hike -- is set for May 21, along with the election of two new School Board members to replace the retiring Brian O'Donnell and Joe Fazzary. Five candidates submitted petitions: Kristin Hazlitt, Barbara Schimizzi, Heidi Pike, Mark Franzese and Tom Lewis.

--Heard Phillips announce a settlement between Inergy and the Town of Reading over the company's assessment, an issue that affects school district coffers. He said Inergy, which had sought a reduction of about 50%, to roughly $14 million, has agreed to a step reduction from $29 million to $26 million this year "with no refund of taxes," and then in succeeding years to $24 million and $22 million. A refund would have amounted to $100,000 of school district money, he said, adding that when he heard the details of the settlement, "I breathed a pretty big sigh of relief."

--Approved coaching appointments for next year. They include, in the fall, the return of Lou Condon Jr. as football coach, with Mike Stephens assisting; and the return of Kelsey Wood as girls swim coach and John Fazzary as cross country coach. In the winter, appointments include Fazzary as boys basketball coach again, and Alicia Learn, the JV coach last year, as the new head coach of the girls basketball team. Jen Conklin will be back as the boys swim coach. And in the spring, Ben Connelly is set for another season as baseball coach, with Jim Scott again coaching softball and Rob Michel coaching golf, assisted by Diane Wood.

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips and Business Manager Gayle Sedlack at the budget hearing Tuesday night.

Students bake bread for food pantry

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 5 -- Brud Holland, executive chef of Red Newt Bistro, recently gave a lesson in bread baking to eighth-grade students at the Watkins Glen Middle School. Holland taught home and careers students the skills they need to create delicious and beautiful homemade bread from simple ingredients like flour, yeast, oil, salt and water.

At the end of the lesson, 31 students volunteered to bake bread at home. Each student was asked to make two loaves – one to eat and the other to bring back to school. The homemade bread was then donated to the Schuyler County food pantry.

King Arthur Flour Company provided flour and yeast for this project.

Photo in text: Students prepare to deliver homemade bread to the Schuyler Country food pantry. Back row, from left: Sara Morrissette, Jordan Dillenbeck, Katherine Taylor, Phoebe Wickham and Ryan Clark. Front row: Matt Hulbert. (Photo provided)

Schimizzi running for School Board

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 5 -- Barbara Schimizzi, Watkins Glen resident and community volunteer, has announced her run for the Watkins Glen Central School District’s Board of Education.

“Education is a top priority for our children,” said Schimizzi. “Their education is as important to them as it is to us; they are our future.”

Schimizzi and her husband Dominick have two sons, Max and Alex, who are in the 8th grade and 7th grade, respectively. Barbara grew up in Schuyler County, attending Watkins Glen schools. She is an active volunteer with Watkins Glen Boy Scout Troop 2674 and Saint Mary’s of the Lake Youth Group.

She is employed at Geneva General Hospital as the Clinical Coordinator for the CT Department.

Schimizzi said she has been attending School Board meetings because she "wanted to know the decision process and personnel of our district.

“I am sensitive to budget and staff issues and have encouraged re-evaluation of staff cuts for the current budget,” she said.

Schimizzi believes she can be an important part of the schools' continued success. “I will encourage open dialogue and transparency for all parties involved,” she said. And, she added: “Please come out on May 21 and exercise your right to vote!”

Photo in text: Barbara Schimizzi (Photo provided)

Arc of Schuyler offers $1,000 scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 5 -- One graduating senior will be awarded the 2013 Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 in June. Seniors at Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools or seniors who are Schuyler County residents pursuing education elsewhere are eligible to apply for the award, which honors a former member of The Arc of Schuyler Board of Directors.

The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior continuing his or her education in special education or human services or a related clinical area such as nursing, psychology, speech pathology, or physical/occupational therapy, which will be used in a career providing supports to people with developmental disabilities.

According to a press release, The Arc of Schuyler "has identified that there are serious workforce issues facing organizations providing supports to people with disabilities. This scholarship program focuses on informing students, parents, schools and the community at large that there are important and rewarding jobs and a variety of career opportunities working with and for people with disabilities."

Joanne S. Hayes was a past board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler, who lived in Odessa before her death in 1987. She was a strong advocate for career and employee training. "This education fund is a fitting tribute to her commitment to The Arc and to our workforce," said Jeannette Frank, executive director of The Arc. The Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship is made possible through local donations.

Eligible applicants must submit the following to their school guidance office or to The Arc of Schuyler’s Human Resources Office at 210 12th Street in Watkins Glen by May 24, 2013:

• Completed application
• Legible essay (no more than two double-spaced pages)
• Two letters of reference
• GPA, Class Rank, SAT Scores, Transcript
• Photo of applicant to be used in promotional materials

Applications are available at school guidance offices, on The Arc’s website, or by contacting Holly Baker, The Arc’s Director of Community Relations. The Arc of Schuyler is a family-based organization providing supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. For more information about The Arc call 607-535-6934 or visit www.arcofschuyler.org.

O-M receives science-equipment grant

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, May 1 -- Science students at Odessa-Montour will soon be using state-of-the-art
technology thanks to a grant from Cargill.

Teacher Doug Chapman wrote the grant proposal for $23,270, which will be used to purchase enough Vernier probes and accessories for two classes of students. The probes are hand-held
electronic devices that can be used to gather, manipulate and analyze experimental data such as temperature, force, pressure and components of a solution.

“The same type of equipment is used in college courses and by professionals in the field,” said Chapman. “And because many students are accustomed to using hand-held devices such as smartphones, these new devices should really pique their interest.”

The idea for requesting the money from Cargill was brought to Chapman by Bill Lindsley, who coaches in the district and works at Cargill.

Chapman developed a “wish list” of items he wanted for his students and was awarded the entire amount he asked for. According to Don Chutas, plant manager for Cargill in Watkins Glen, half of the grant was provided by the local Cargill plant and the other half was given by Cargill headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

“Many Cargill employees have children who attend local schools, so we look for opportunities to support education, especially within our focus areas of science, nutrition and health and environmental studies,” said Chutas.

WGHS plans spring concert on May 9

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 1 -- The Watkins Glen High School music department will present a spring concert on Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.

The concert will feature the chorus, concert band, jazz band, flute ensemble and several other small ensembles. Musical selections for the evening include: Selections from Chicago, His Honor March and My Heart Will Go On.

The concert also will mark the final performance for the Class of 2013. The seniors featured include: Braedan Fitch, Elise Groll, Kyle Hancharick, Sarah Hazlitt, Ashlee Hill, Chelsea Kennard, Sarah LaMascus, Jessica Littler, Michael Olmstead, Jennifer Ruger, Mikaela Suddaby, Jesse Turner, Brenton Whiting and Sarah Wickham.

The concert is free, and all are invited to attend.

Middle School Concert Set, Too

The Watkins Glen Middle School will hold its Spring Concert in the Middle School auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on May 29. It will feature the 6-8 Grade Chorus, 5th Grade Band, and 6-8 Grade Band.

League plans Glen candidates forum

WATKINS GLEN, April 27 -- The Schuyler County League of Women Voters will host a Meet the Candidates forum featuring the Watkins Glen School Board candidates from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 in the Watkins Glen Elementary School Auditorium.

The five candidates running for the two 3-year seats are Kristin Hazlitt, Heidi Pike, Tom Lewis, Barb Schimizzi and Mark Franzese. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, visit www.schuylervotes.com.

All of the Schuyler County participants from the Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools at the 2013 Southern Tier Regional Envirothon. (Photo provided)

O-M 'MayFlies' win Envirothon title

Special to The Odessa File

OWEGO, April 27 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School repeated as the Schuyler County Envirothon champion Thursday, defeating seven other Schuyler teams. The squad is coached by high school science teacher Doug Chapman.

Schuyler, Chemung, Broome, Tioga and Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation Districts combine efforts each year to provide high schools in the five counties with a regional, Southern Tier Envirothon competition to determine county champions that earn a chance to compete at a statewide event. The students’ knowledge is put to the test as the teams complete tough exams in Aquatics, Soils, Forestry, Wildlife, and this year’s Current Issue: "Sustainable Rangeland Management."

Two schools from Schuyler County participated in the event, sending eight teams to the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Center in Owego. A total of 40 teams from 16 regional schools were there. Odessa-Montour had three teams, and Bradford Central School had five. A number of Schuyler County students also participated in Greater Southern Tier (GST) BOCES teams, including students from Watkins Glen Central School.

The Odessa-Montour "MayFlies" team was this year’s Schuyler County winner. Bradford's "The Piffetts and Him" came in second, and the Bradford team "Missing Benjamin" was third. Rebecca Schrader is the coach for the Bradford teams.

The O-M "MayFlies" will represent Schuyler County at the 2013 New York State Envirothon, to be held at Morrisville State College on May 30 and 31. The winning team at the statewide competition will compete at the Canon National Envirothon at Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana this August.

The Soil and Water Conservation Districts help to organize the Envirothon, and essential support is provided by the school science teachers, the school districts and local businesses. To date, this year’s Schuyler County Envirothon sponsors are: Cotton-Hanlon Inc., Specchio Ford, Watkins Glen Elks Lodge #1546, Jim Hazlitt, Fagan Engineering, the Schuyler County Environmental Management Council, Montour Falls Moose Lodge #426, the Watkins Glen Fire Company, and Atwater Vineyards.

The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District provides programs and services to help residents and communities manage and protect the natural resources of Schuyler County.

Photo in text: The Odessa Montour "MayFlies," the winning Schuyler County Envirothon team. From left: Trenton Randall, Frank Wood, Tela Wittig, Heavyn Aries, and Jasmine Wittig. (Photo provided)

The boys team with litter collected. (Photo provided)

WGHS tracksters clean up area on Earth Day

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 23 -- Members of the Watkins Glen High School boys and girls varsity track teams celebrated Earth Day Monday gathering garbage and litter scattered along the shore of Seneca Lake and along Rock Cabin Road in Watkins Glen.

The annual event, a team favorite, is used to help the student-athletes raise money while encouraging environmental stewardship. Students are encouraged to gather bags of litter and loose refuse to clean the roads and trails the team lives near, and trains on, throughout the season.

"What a better day to do it then on Earth Day!" said boys track coach Travis Durfee. "Please donate what you can to support us. All proceeds from the fundraiser go to support the WGHS
varsity track and field team."

Photo in text: The girls team with items collected. (Photo provided)

Bond named to U. of Rochester Dean's List

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, NY, April 14 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry at the University of Rochester, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the fall 2012 semester.

Bond, a resident of Watkins Glen, NY, is the daughter of Christopher Bond and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is a private research university that offers an undergraduate curriculum that emphasizes a broad liberal education.

The WGHS Advertising and Marketing class with teacher Eileen Malaney. (Photo provided)

WGHS students get look at 2 businesses

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 12 -- Ten Watkins Glen Advertising and Marketing students got a firsthand look recently at how two local businesses operate.

The business students, along with teacher Eileen Malaney, visited the six-month-old Village Bakery in Montour Falls to see what kind of marketing techniques they use in the operation. After a tour of the facility and overview of the business, manager Emily Van Volkinburg talked to students about how advertising for a family operation in a small community is quite different from that of larger corporations, and how social media plays a big role as well as word-of-mouth advertising.

Tablet in hand, she showed students the bakery website and Facebook pages. After a taste of the baked goods, students went on to the Castle Grisch Restaurant and Winery. While there, general manager Theresa Butler gave a thorough tour and highlights of the many facets of the family-owned operation including vineyards, restaurant and tasting room. She discussed advertising from a perspective of those visiting the area for wine trail events, destination getaways and staycations, as well as the important role again of social media and websites.

The class trip was arranged in cooperation with the Career Development Council.

Students included Colin DeMerritt, Keziah Fraboni, Taylor Yaw, Matt Estes, Victoria Wixson, William Pastrick, Dakota Lodge, Colin Gates, Luke Flahive and Jesse Teeter.

Photo in text: Village Bakery's Emily Van Volkinburg (Photo provided)

Left: Dana Roberts, left, is welcomed into the National Honor Society by member Ashton Stadelmaier. Right: Inductee Trenton Randall.

11 students at O-M inducted into National Honor Society

ODESSA, April 12 -- Eleven Odessa-Montour High School students were inducted Thursday night into the O-M chapter of the National Honor Society.

The ceremony, which took place in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium, featured a keynote address by Dr. Brian Bleiler, a Watkins Glen optometrist.

He told the honorees that of the four key standards prized in NHS membership -- Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character -- the most important is Character.

"Your character is what everybody thinks about you plus what they don't know about you," he said. "Value your character over your reputation. A reputation can be maligned, but your character belongs to you. Protect it."

If a person maintains good character, he said, "good scholarshp, good leadership and good service" will follow.

The new Honor Society members were introduced to the audience by incumbent members, starting with Brooke Collins, introduced by her brother Joseph.

Other inductees included:
--Tanner Dupuy (introduced by Tyler Goossen);
--Manley Gavich (introduced by Jordan Little);
--Samantha House (introduced by Tiffany Kelly);
--Trenton Randall (introduced by Sydney Eberhardt);
--Dana Roberts (introduced by Ashton Stadelmaier);
--Joseph Rorick (introduced by Danielle MacDougall);
--Adrianna Rhodes (introduced by Sydney Eberhardt);
--Hailie Searles (introduced by Brittany VanAmburg);
--Callie Stillman (introduced by Ashton Stadelmaier);
--Brianna Struble (introduced by Jordan Little).

Incumbent member Gavin Guild narrated the candle-lighting ceremony, with each of four candles (signifying Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character) lit by incumbent members Bobette March, Danielle MacDougall, Brittany VanAmburg and MacDougall again.

Final remarks were issued by Junior-Senior High School Principal Chris Wood following an introduction by chapter advisor Holly Campbell.

Photos in text:

From top: Inductee Brooke Collins is introduced by her brother Joseph; Manley Gavich is introduced by Jordan Little; inductee Callie Stillman, left, lights one candle from another candle held by inductee Hailie Searles; inductee Tanner Dupuy is introduced by Tyler Goossen.

Left: Inductees Adrianna Rhodes and Joseph Rorick. Right: Inductee Samantha House

Left: Speaker Dr. Brian Bleiler. Right: Inductee Brianna Struble is introduced by Jordan Little.

Watkins Glen School Board approves proposed budget

3 candidates have submitted petitions for School Board runs

The district's meeting summary can be found here.

WATKINS GLEN, April 9 -- The Watkins Glen School Board, after hearing pleas to retain two positions being eliminated, approved its proposed 2013-14 budget Monday night and sent it on to district residents for a vote next month. It still calls for those two job cuts.

The $23,350,020 spending plan carries a tax-rate increase of 55 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation (raising the rate to $12.15), and has a tax-levy increase of 4.8%, which falls within the tax cap.

The May 21 vote will also include an election to fill two seats on the School Board, both for three-year terms. Petitions have been filed by Heidi Pike, Barbara Schimizzi and Mark Franzese. Board President Brian O'Donnell is stepping down from the Board, while incumbent Joe Fazzary has not yet filed petitions. Both Pike and Schimizzi were present at Monday's meeting.

The budget approval came after several speakers -- both students and teachers -- addressed the board, saying students couldn't afford to lose the services of an elementary teacher and a guidance counselor, the two positions being eliminated. One student also referred to the pending loss of a high school history teacher, but Superintendent Tom Phillips and High School Principal Dave Warren said that position is being retained.

The students were Samantha Gill (pictured above), Chelsea Kennard, Ryan Rondinaro and Gavin Gates. The teachers were Marie Fitzsimmons and Kate Bartholomew (pictured at right). Fitzsimmons upset Phillips by saying that money generated late in the budget process -- largely by a change in health insurance plans -- would be enough to retain the two jobs being cut. "Not correct, not correct," said Phillips, adding that the change in plans -- neccessitated when the previous consortium the district belonged to folded -- does not free the district from $600,000 in prior claims filed under the old plan. Phillips has also recommended -- and the board has agreed -- that money realized from an increase in state aid be used to restore dwindling district reserves.

Board President Brian O'Donnell said that "public education is in harm's way. This is a situation that has come to us, not one we created. Our job is to preserve positions and maintain" educational standards, but "we can only give as much as we can get. We're doing our very best to keep this people-oreiented, with students first."

The three principals -- Warren, the Middle School's Kristine Somerville and the Elementary School's Rod Weeden -- also spoke, assuring the students that they would still have the necessary guidance from counselors in the district, even with the reduction of a position.

A common theme from Warren and Weeden was enrollment, with Warren saying high school numbers have been dropping significantly -- from 460 students in 2008-09 to a point where "we're looking at 361 students," and Weeden saying that with each grade in his school consisting of fewer than 100 pupils, "the board could cut two more positions, but thankfully it has chosen not to go there."

"We've been working on the budget since November," Phillips said, "and we really got into the numbers, looking at class sizes and enrollment. Only one class (the 8th grade) is over 100, and most are under by a lot. This budget is not impacting one academic offering at all. That's pretty amazing when you look at other schools in the area" and the cuts they are adopting.

In other action, the board:

--Accepted "with regret" the resignation of longtime kindergarten teacher Rick Comfort, a former head of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, who is heading into retirement after 32 years in the district.

--Heard Watkins Glen Public Library Board President Carol Franzese (pictured at right) present the annual library budget, a $172,417 spending plan that proposes a tax-levy hike of $2,402 due to computer, software and personnel cost increases. Also present were board members Ken Wilson and Judy Phillips. The School Board's O'Donnell is also a member of the library board. The library budget vote will be from 2-8 p.m. May 1 at the library.

--Praised retiring Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Mike DeNardo, who finishes his career on April 23, when he will be succeeded by Jerry Harriger, who has been serving temporarily as DeNardo's assistant. Phillips and O'Donnell praised DeNardo's efforts over the years for the district, and O'Donnell presented the retiree with a print of a Don Maas watercolor of Watkins Glen. Said DeNardo: "What a long, strange trip it's been ... Thanks for the memories."

Photos in text:

From top: Student Samantha Gill addresses the board; teacher Kate Bartholomew, who also spoke to the board; Board President Brian O'Donnell presents retiring Buildings and Grounds chief Mike DeNardo with a print of a Don Maas watercolor; Watkins Glen Library Board President Carol Franzese outlines the library's proposed budget.

Aquatic aerobics class planned at O-M

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, April 2 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training will offer Aerobic Fun in the Water from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Odessa-Montour High School pool. The course will begin April 25 and continue through June 20.

Pre-registration is required. To register, call 739-4296. For more information on this and other courses, go to www.gstboces.org/adulted.

WGHS business students learn about careers

Special to
The Odessa File

CORNING, March 28 -- A group of Watkins Glen High School business students along with teacher Eileen Malaney attended a Business Careers Panel March 27 at Corning Incorporated headquarters .

The agenda for the panel, sponsored in part by the Career Development Council, included speakers with varying backgrounds employed in finance, sales, marketing, international business, human resources, management, and business ownership.

Student Megan Daigle said it worked out perfectly for her to be able to speak with Michele Donegan, Manager of the Radisson Hotel in Corning, because that’s a field that she is interested in pursuing. Bryce De La Osa Cruz learned that starting your own business -- like Timothy Brautigan, owner of Allstate Insurance at the Arnot Mall, did -- can be an expensive proposition, but at the same time very rewarding.

Joseph Roth found Darlene Marino, Corporate Employee Relations Consultant at Corning Incorporated, to be very interesting and learned from the panel presentation that you should “find your passion.” Other tips the students took away from the day were to follow their dreams and never stop learning.

Photo in text: WGHS students attending the Business Careers Panel included, standing from left, Dakota Lodge, James Updyke, Joseph Roth, Deven Bond, Bryce De La Osa Cruz, William Pastrick, Anthony Keough, and Taylor Yaw; and sitting from left, Scottie Hatch, Megan Daigle and Caitlin Connelly. (Photo provided)

From left: Students from the Bush Culinary team pose with a Master Chef at the recent ProStart Competition. From left are Victoria Perry (Waverly), Nicole Cornish (Southside), Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt, Michael Hughey (O-M), Connor White (Elmira Heights), Jordan Scalia (Southside), and Phil Humphries (O-M). (Photo provided)

O-M students excel at culinary competition

Special to The Odessa File

NIAGARA, NY, March 28 -- Culinary Arts students from the Bush Education Center -- including two Odessa-Montour High School students -- recently earned third place at the annual ProStart Culinary Competition, held March 23 in Niagara, NY.

Thirteen culinary teams from across the state competed this year. They prepared an appetizer, an entrée (consisting of a protein, starch and vegetable) and a dessert. They were required to use only two butane burners and no electricity or battery-operated equipment. Teams had one hour to prepare six plates, three to be presented to the judges and three for display.

The students had the opportunity to meet with master and culinary chefs from colleges and restaurants. The competition is sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

WGMS students write and sell cookbook

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 28 -- Eighth-graders in the Home and Careers class at Watkins Glen Middle School recently wrote, edited, published, advertised and marketed their own cookbook as a fundraiser.

The book, titled Flavors of the Glen, contained more than 140 of their favorite family recipes. The book also included student artwork, stories describing the origin of the recipes and additional essays describing family food ways.

This hands-on project taught skills in writing, editing, desktop publishing, direct sales, meeting deadlines and working with each other productively.

Students sold all of the 500 cookbooks that were printed, said Barbara Bristow, home and careers teacher.

Friendly competition between classes helped encourage salesmanship, Bristow said. Top cookbook sellers were: Casey Falls, Dakota Cole, Amanda Pike, Sara Morrissette, Alexandra Coots, Trevor Bardeen, Matthew Hulbert, Tyrone Smith, Marah McCauley, Alexander Gibson, Aran Holland, Jordan DeMerritt, Phillip Craven and Courtney Irwin.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to cover the cost of a career awareness field trip to Cornell University in April. Students will visit various Cornell departments to learn about what’s offered there and what college life is like.

Photo in text: Students who sold the most cookbooks as a class project pose for a photo.
Top from left: Sara Morrissette, Alexis Bingham, Amanda Pike, Casey Falls, Alex Gibson, Jordan DeMerritt and Dakota Cole. Middle from left: Alexandra Coots, Courtney Irwin, Marah McCauley, Aran Holland and Tyrone Smith. Front: Phillip Craven, left, and Matthew Hulbert. (Photo provided)

WG juniors absorb Seneca Falls history

(We received the following from Watkins Glen High School teacher Marie Fitzsimmons following an annual field trip by the WGHS junior class to Seneca Falls on March 26.)

SENECA FALLS, March 27, 2013 -- The Watkins Glen High School junior class made the annual trek to Seneca Falls Tuesday to explore the women's rights movement, the abolition movement, commerce and trade, and the canal system.

All those topics are part of the 11th grade U.S History curriculum and are regularly addressed on the New York State U.S History Regents. The trip can be credited with extending the knowledge of the students and ensuring their success on the Regents.

An Australian tour guide led the tour of the Seneca Museum and did an outstanding presentation on the growth and changes that took place in Seneca Falls. Using wall maps, dioramas, and storytelling, he led the students through the fascinating history of a town that was the "Silicon Valley" of the 1800s. From the Gould pump to the Seneca Socks, the bustle of the area drew some of the most influential people in our history. From Lucretia Mott to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, many of the shakers and movers who helped to end slavery and launch the movement for women's rights did so just up the road from Watkins Glen.

The National Park Ranger at the old Wesleyan Chapel -- where the National Women's Convention took place in 1848 -- showcased the most recent renovations to the chapel that now stands as a revered monument to equality. He gave a tremendous lesson on what it meant for the 62 women and 38 men who signed the Declaration of Sentiments to do so. He spoke of the other 200 attendees of the conference who remained anonymous -- supportive of the cause but unable to sign their names to a document that could cause them social, political or economic harm.

At the Women's Hall of Fame, the students used their cell phones to capture the images of women who they admired. They read their stories and garnered a sense of the tremendous impact women have had on the world. From science, to medicine, to social movements and literature, the students learned of the women who changed the world. They learned that Betty Ford and Nancy Pelosi will be inducted this year with seven other women. They also learned of local women whose families or friends nominated them for recognition -- and were pleased to find the letter honoring my mother, Janet Sullivan Meaney, a social worker and shaker and mover in our own community.

Some of the students went to famed women's rights advocate Elizabeth Cady Stanton's house to walk the floors, while others traveled to I.D.E.A, the Center for the Voices of Humanity. The students found powerful quotes that resonated with them and shared those that celebrated the human spirit and the ability to rise up from discrimination and pain and find beauty and strength.

This trip is always poignant for the juniors, now young men and women taking on leadership roles in the school and opening their minds and hearts to the future as they solidify their bond as a class. The easy banter between teachers and students, the warmth of the bus drivers, the camaraderie of the students, and the kindness of the Park Ranger who ran out to tell us what a lovely school we are and how much they enjoyed our students made for a mighty sweet day. Bring on that June Regents!!!

Marie Fitzsimmons
History, ELA, and Language Coordinator
WGHS

Photos in text:

Top: WGHS juniors visit the Seneca Museum, which details the history of Seneca Falls and the Erie Canal.

Bottom: A group of WGHS juniors in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, now a national historic site, where the Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention was held in 1848. (Photos provided)

The O-M Junior High School Chorus sings "Chiquita Banana."

O-M presents Music in Schools Concert

ODESSA, March 21 -- Fourth- through 12th-grade instrumental and vocal musicians in the Odessa-Montour school district presented a Music In Our Schools Concert Wednesday night in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at the high school.

The 4th Grade Band played "Merrily We Roll Along" and "Farm Out," while the 5th/6th Grade Band played the "Star Wars" main theme.

The 3rd/4th Grade Chorus sang "Singing a Happy Song" and "Straighten Up and Fly Right," while the 5th/6th Grade Chorus sang "Cripple Creek" and "Let There Be Peace."

The Junior High School Band performed "Highlights from The Sound of Music" and "Rockin' Robin," and the High School Band played "Music For A Darkened Theater."

The Junior High School Chorus sang "Limbo Rock" and "Chiquita Banana," and the Senior High Chorus sang "Joy to the World" and "I Have a Voice." The two choruses combined to sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

The Women's Choir performed "Second Hand Rose," with solos by Hayley Guild, Maia Rumsey, Dana Roberts, Alisha Chamberlain, Tess Visscher and Morgan Stermer.

Directors were Kim Laursen, Michelle Voorheis and Clarice Miles. Sally Michel served as accompanist.

Photo in text: High School Band percussionist Dana Roberts.

The High School Chorus sings "Joy to the World."

The High School Band performs "Music For a Darkened Theater."

The Women's Choir sings "Second Hand Rose."

Auxiliary offers Health Care scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, March 19 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is offering scholarships to students who plan to enter the health care field.

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students who are residents of Schuyler County, and to hospital employees wishing to further their education in the health care field. Two $1,000 scholarships are available.

Applications may be picked up at high school guidance offices, the Hospital’s Human Resources office or at www.schuylerhospital.org.

Application deadline is May 24.

For more information, contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary member Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622.

Mock interviews may lead to some jobs

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 19 -- Seventeen area business professionals spent two days conducting mock interviews with students at Watkins Glen High School recently. Students were assigned times to interview with various businesses and had to arrive prepared with resumes and completed applications.

The program was coordinated and facilitated by Watkins Glen Career Development Council representative Tess Pollack. Interviewers put the kids through the paces of real world job interviews, asking them questions about their job aspirations, educational goals, work ethic, and current job skills.

Students prepared for the mock interviews as part of Eileen Malaney’s Career and Financial Management class. Additional students were able to prepare though CDC.

Thirty-six percent of students are being called back for second interviews at the businesses. These students may be considered for summer employment.

Photo in text: Sue Brill of the Schuyler County Social Services Department interviews 9th Grade Career & Financial Management student Parker Pangallo. (Photo provided)

Annual M.A.S.H. Camp set for July 23-24

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, March 19 -- Students entering 8th and 9th grade next fall will have the opportunity to spend two days in the world of hospital healthcare this summer. M.A.S.H. Camp will be held on July 23-24, 2013, at Schuyler Hospital.

M.A.S.H. stands for Medical Academy of Science and Health. This two-day camp is sponsored by Schuyler Hospital, the Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC) and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The three organizations have partnered on this initiative to address the mutual goal of alleviating the shortage of health professionals by encouraging young people to explore health careers.

A variety of careers will be highlighted during M.A.S.H. Camp through fun, hands-on workshops for students, including lots of attention from dedicated health professionals. All campers will receive hospital scrubs to wear each day at camp, breakfast and lunch, a tee shirt, and education materials. The camp fee is $15 per student. CNYAHEC is offering scholarships to those students who need assistance with the registration fee.

Space is limited to 10 students, and camp participants will be determined by a selection process. The deadline for applying is Friday, May 3 . Students can access the online application by visiting the CNYAHEC website www.cnyahec.com or via a link at www.schuylerhospital.org.

Frame report leans against closing of B.C. Cate school

ODESSA, March 15 -- The Odessa-Montour School Board Thursday night received a report from Superintendent Jim Frame on the possibility of closing the B.C. Cate Elementary School in Montour Falls -- a move he indicated he opposes based on initial study results that show a relatively small cost savings.

The response of two board members -- normal Frame backers Chris Scata and Damita Chamberlain -- indicated support for his position.

Frame said he looked at the use of district facilities with an eye toward projected enrollment and -- if the closing of B.C. Cate were effected -- with an eye toward transportation, food service, janitorial services, classroom space and office space. He presented a power-point outline of his findings, which he said preliminarily indicate a savings of less than $50,000 -- not enough to warrant the disruption of existing services and the potentially crowded condition of a single Odessa-based campus.

"We'd be packed to the gills," he said.

"What if enrollment went up?" Chamberlain asked rhetorically, referring to any post-consolidation spike in student population -- although Frame's report had indicated a slight enrollment decline in coming years.

Added Scata: "Could you pin down that (savings) figure? For $40,000, just a quarter of one percent in taxes, it's not worth it to me."

"I agree with you," said Frame, adding that he would come up with a final savings figure. At the request of board member Bill Schwenk, he also agreed to provide room maps showing what a reconfigured single-campus school would look like.

(For a look at Frame's report as photographed during the meeting, click here.)

In other business:

--Frame said he expects, but can't promise, the restoration of some education funds in the final state budget being hammered out in Albany. He said both the Senate and Assembly plans have called for restoration of some of the money eliminated in Governor Cuomo's executive proposal -- $415 million in the Senate version and $334 million in the Assembly version.

--Frame said the district is "continuing talks with Watkins Glen on where to go after the forum" -- a reference to a joint OM-Watkins gathering on Feb. 26 in the WGHS auditorium that drew good reviews and left both districts' superintendents seemingly pleased. He said he will be meeting next week with Watkins Superintendent Tom Phillips "about the next (forum) session" and "where to go" regarding the practice of shared services.

Frame also said that he had "talked to them" (Watkins officials) about submitting an application for a grant that would finance a study of shared services and consolidation possibilities, "but we thought it was too soon." The application deadline came and went Wednesday. When asked by board member Scott Westervelt whether the grant was on an annual cycle -- and therefore not available now for another year -- Frame said that is "up in the air."

Photo in text: O-M Superintendent Jim Frame and School Board President Debra Harrington at Thursday night's meeting.

Superintendents Tom Phillips, left, of the Watkins Glen School District and Mary Beth Fiore, center, of the Elmira Heights School District were among those rallying.
(Photo by Nancy Ruda)

Glen has contingent at education rally

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, March 14 -- Watkins Glen had a number of representatives on hand at a rally in Elmira Heights on Saturday, March 9, in support of the equitable distribution of funds by the New York State government to school districts around the state.

The rally, at Thomas A. Edison High School, drew hundreds of supporters from around the region who gathered at the Edison football field and marched to the school. The event, organized with the help of district Superintendent Mary Beth Fiore, followed gatherings earlier in the week in Albany that urged more education funding and an equitable distribution of state aid, with the goal of avoiding what has become all too common in recent years: cuts in school personnel and programs.

The theme of Saturday's rally was "Albany, Can You Hear Us?"

Among those from Watkins Glen showing their support were Superintendent Tom Phillips and a number of teachers and students.

Photo in text: Some Watkins Glen School District faculty members and students were on hand for the rally. (Photo by Nancy Ruda)

International Night features foods, facts from other lands

WATKINS GLEN, March 14 -- About 150 people were on hand Wednesday evening for the annual International Night Dinner in the Watkins Glen High School cafeteria.

The event, hosted by the Model United Nations and Global Issues (MUNAGI) classes at WGHS, featured a half-dozen speakers discussing other countries. Some of the speakers are citizens of this country who have visited other lands, and others are exchange students -- attending high school in the Southern Tier -- who discussed their homelands.

A dinner consisting of foods of other lands -- prepared by the 20 MUNAGI students -- set the tone for the evening as speakers discussed such countries as South Africa, Spain, Malawi, Taiwan, Guatemala, Germany and Australia.

WGHS student Natasha Patel told with slides about a trip she and her family took to South Africa, a presentation that was followed by a talk by Chloe Hattingh of South Africa, an exchange student at Odessa-Montour High School.

Exchange student Adrian Tejedor-Lopez of Spain -- also attending O-M -- told about his country, and in particular about his home city of Madrid, the third largest in Europe.

Shao-Chi Chui of Taipei in the Republic of Taiwan, an exchange student at Elmira Free Academy, discussed the geography and weather of his country, and said the 23-hour trip to Elmira -- and the 12-hour time difference between Elmira and home -- gave him “total jet lag” for the first week of his stay in the United States.

Tim Kamanga, who came to the U.S. from Malawi seven years ago as an exchange student at WGHS, and later returned to the Southern Tier to attend college, discussed the politics of his country and some of its culture.

The evening concluded with talks by Rowan Elizabeth, a WGHS grad discussing a visit to Guatemala; WGHS grad Casey Holland on his experiences in Germany, and WGHS student Jessica Littler discussing Australia, the country from which she moved last year.

Presenting introductory remarks were WGHS junior Samantha Gill, Secretary General of the Model UN introductory class, and senior Ryan Rondinaro, Secretary General of the advanced class.

Photos in text: Speakers Chloe Hattingh of South Africa and Timoteo Kamanga of Malawi.

From left: Model UN student Sarah Hazlitt, EFA exchange student Shao-Chi Chui, and speaker Casey Holland.

Left: List of some of the foods prepared for the dinner by the WGHS Model UN class students. Right: Samantha Gill and Ryan Rondinaro, Secretaries General of the introductory and advanced Model UN classes, respectively.

Several members of the WGHS girls varsity bowling team. From left are Lucy Craig, Samantha Bradley, Sarah Wickham, Mikaela Suddaby and Lindsey Suddaby.

Glen school chiefs hope to build on forum

WATKINS GLEN, March 5 -- Watkins Glen School Board President Brian O'Donnell and Superintendent Tom Phillips hope that last week's education forum -- overseen by the Schuyler County League of Women Voters in the Watkins Glen High School auditorium -- will lead to a continuing cooperative effort by the Watkins and Odessa-Montour districts.

The forum -- featuring presentations by Phillips and O-M Superintendent Jim Frame, and with School Board members present from both districts -- attracted nearly 300 community residents for a discussion of the future of education in Schuyler County. The session was mostly upbeat, with community speakers generally courteous and the two superintendents enthusing afterward about its success and how future meetings could involve work sessions with attendees brainstorming in groups.

O'Donnell and Phillips addressed the matter during Monday night's meeting of the Watkins School Board -- O'Donnell initiating the discussion by saying that "hopefully there will be further discussions" to counter the "concerns" generated by "severely declining revenue sources," a 2% property-tax cap, rising health and retirement costs, and a situation where "we are continually being forced to reduce personnel and program" as well as educational opportunities.

Phillips said Watkins Glen hopes to work with O-M in generating "more in-depth information" regarding the economic future of the two districts, and that it "behooves the communities to do a professional study and look at all of the issues" -- a study that would be an "efficiency, feasibility study." Beyond that, he said, "I'd love to see us start to form groups and start to dig into the numbers. Let's get to work."

Added O'Donnell: "I hope you and Jim (Frame) can get together and move forward. We should get all the information possible."

In other business, the Board:

--Approved retirements by longtime Social Studies teacher Craig Cheplick and Building and Grounds chief Mike DeNardo. Both were praised for their many years of service, with Phillips saying that Cheplick "loves what he does, and will demonstrate that love to the day he walks out the door."

DeNardo, the superintendent added, was key to the development of the plan leading to the closing of the Middle School and establishment of a single-campus concept. Added O'Donnell: "He is a role model."

--Honored members of the WGHS girls varsity bowling team, which won the Section IV, Class C championship this past season. Each of the five starters on the team -- Samantha Bradley, Sarah Wickham, Mikaela Suddaby, Katrina Swarthout and Erika Rhodes -- was presented an Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award certificate. And their coach, Ward Brower, praised them as "impressive people, impressive students."

--Approved spring sports coaching appointments. The varsity coaches include Ben Connelly (baseball), Jim Scott (softball), Travis Durfee (boys track), Andy Chouinard (girls track), Rob Michel (golf), and Ann Messenger (tennis). Nils Watson is the coach for the new Modified lacrosse team -- which is set to play only scrimmages and is being funded by community contributions. The board, at the urging of member Tom Richardson, specified in a resolution approving the program that it "is not to be funded by the general budget."

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, makes a point at Monday night's School Board meeting. At right is Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Bottom: WGHS varsity bowler Erika Rhodes receives an Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award certificate from Superintendent Phillips. Rhodes was a starter on the team that won the Section IV, Class C title.

--For the district summary of the meeting, click here.--

Watkins Science Fair set for March 16

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 1 -- The Watkins Glen school district will hold its third annual Science Fair for middle and elementary students on March 16 in the Elementary School cafeterias.

Students who have registered for the event will begin setting up their projects at 10 a.m. Parents and community members can view projects at 10:30. At 11 a.m., judges will begin interviewing students about their creations.

The event allows students to research science projects based on their own interests. Projects demonstrate students’ research skills, as well as their ability to apply information to real-world problems.

The science fair is organized by parent volunteer Sonya McCauley, along with Middle School Science Teacher Jim Murphy and Elementary School Principal Rodney Weeden. Costs for the event will be covered by a grant from the Corning Foundation.

Musicians to work with WGMS students

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 1 -- Two Ithaca-area musicians will work with students at Watkins Glen Middle School during March. Katie McShane, cellist, and Rosie Newton, fiddler, will help instrumental students explore their creativity and build improvisational skills.

McShane and Newton will work with students on March 6-7, 11-15 and 18-20. Students will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. March 20 in the Middle School Auditorium to demonstrate what they have learned. On March 13 and 14, students also will have an opportunity to record some of their performances under the direction of Will Russell, a recording engineer from the Ithaca area.

McShane is a versatile cellist and creative music maker. Her projects are rooted in collaboration, improvisation and extension outside of the sphere of standard cello repertoire. She currently plays with several groups in Ithaca, including Heather Fae Speaker & Co., Volume One String Quartet, You, Me, and the Radio and the contemporary chamber string band Albert Moses Gravy Train. In addition to being an active performer, McShane holds a degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and operates a small private studio.

Newton has been playing the fiddle for as long as she can remember. She grew up immersed in the folk music scene in Woodstock, attending concerts and parties with her mother, celtic cellist Abby Newton. She has been living in Ithaca for the past five years and attended college there, majoring in viola performance. In Ithaca, she joined the local old time music scene. She recently made a CD with banjo player and singer Stephanie Jenkins and performs with the Pearly Snaps, Richie Stearns and the Evil City String Band and Ferintosh. She also is a frequent guest fiddler with The Mammals.

The concert on March 20 at Watkins Glen Middle School is free and open to the public.

Education forum moved to WGHS

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 12 -- A new location -- the Watkins Glen High School auditorium -- has been selected for a public forum on "The Future of Schuyler's Educational System."

The event -- featuring the School Boards and superintendents from both the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour School Districts -- will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26.

It had originally been scheduled for the Schuyler County Human Services Complex in Montour Falls, but a spokesperson for the sponsoring Schuyler County League of Women Voters said an "overwhelming public response" prompted the move to the much larger auditorium.

The event, the League has said in an ad promoting it, is designed "to elicit public input on the future of our educational system.

"There will be a presentation by (Superintendents) Jim Frame and Tom Phillips explaining the situation. The public's input will provide our educational leaders ... future direction in these trying fiscal times.

"Future need for additional forums will be determined after this forum."

Photos in text: Superintendents Tom Phillips (left) and Jim Frame. (File photos)

Watkins spelling bees set for Feb. 25

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 21 -- Top spellers from Watkins Glen’s first through eighth grades will compete on Monday, February 25 for a chance to represent Watkins at a regional championship.

The local spelling bee for grades 1-5 will be held at 6 p.m. in the Elementary School auditorium. The grade 6-8 bee will be held in the same location immediately after.

Participating students are the top two spellers from each grade level.

The winner and runner-up from each school will compete in a regional championship, held March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Campbell-Savona High School.

The events are part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Contest. The national event concludes each year in Washington, D.C.

Hanlon announces spelling bee winners

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Feb. 20 -- Hanlon Elementary School is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is locally sponsored by the Corning Rotary Club, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Guthrie Health Care and Kraft Foods.

Every Hanlon student received a study list for his/her grade level along with a study list of words for grades 1-8. During the week of February 4, all students participated in their own classroom spelling bees, in which the students were tested on the words at their own grade level. The top three finishers of the individual classroom spelling bees moved on to compete in the school spelling
bee on February 14.

Twenty-four students represented grades 3-6 at the school spelling bee and students were tested on the more challenging study list of words for grades 1-8.

Sixth-grader Hunter Daugherty was crowned the champion in front of a good-spirited crowd who cheered for all participants during the competition. Hunter won the bee after correctly spelling “convention.” Fifth-grader Hannah Chapman was the runner-up, and in a show of good sportsmanship the two finalists exchanged a “high five” at the end of the contest.

Hannah and Hunter will participate in the regional spelling bee at Campbell-Savona High School at 5:30 p.m. on March 7.

The final champion of the regional spelling bee will then go on to compete in the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C.

Photo in text: Hanlon spelling bee runner-up Hannah Chapman, left, and winner Hunter Daugherty will move on to the regional spelling bee at Campbell-Savona. (Photo provided)

Nabozny shares anti-bullying message

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Feb. 14 -- Jamie Nabozny, a nationally known anti-bullying advocate, visited the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools on Feb. 7 to share with students his story and message of tolerance.

Nabozny talked about how he was subjected to verbal and physical bullying during his middle and high school years for being gay. His years of harassment ended with a beating that put him in the hospital and required surgery. In 1996, with the help of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Nabozny won a landmark lawsuit in federal court that establishes that all young people – including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered – deserve a safe educational experience.

In 2010, the Southern Poverty Law Center released the documentary “Bullied,” which chronicles Nabozny’s story. Students watched the film before listening to Nabozny speak.

He told students that if they want change to occur in their school and community, they have to take action. “You can’t wish it better or hope it better,” he said. “You have to make it better.”

After each presentation, he met with student leaders to discuss how they can make a difference at their school and in the community. “I hope that students take my message to heart and move forward with ideas we discussed,” he said. “For any effort to succeed, I believe it needs to be student initiated and student led.”

B.C. Cate sets kindergarten registration

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 12 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to begin Kindergarten in September 2013. Your child is eligible if he/she will be five years old on or before December 1, 2013.

Kindergarten registration is scheduled for April 25, 26 and 30 and May 1. Parents will need to bring their child, child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and proof of child’s immunizations.

If you did not receive a letter in February, call the B. C. Cate office at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Friday, March 22, 2013 to be sure your child is on our roster and to schedule an appointment for your child’s kindergarten screening.

B.C. Cate sets Pre-K registration

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 12 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to attend a half-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program this September.

If your child resides in the Odessa-Montour Central School District and will be four years old on or before December 1, 2013, he/ she is eligible for this program.

To express your interest in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten, call the school at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Friday, March 22, 2013.

Watkins Spelling Bee set for Feb. 25

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 12 -- Watkins Glen’s top spellers from grades 1-8 will compete on February 25 for a chance to represent Watkins Glen at the regional championship.

The spelling bee for grades 1-5 will be held at 6 p.m. in the Elementary School auditorium. The grade 6-8 bee will be held in the same location immediately after.

The top two spellers from each class will compete for the two grade-level spots during spelling bees on February 19. The top two spellers from each grade level will then compete on February 25.

The winner and runner-up from each school will compete in the regional championship, held March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Campell-Savona High School.

These upcoming events are part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Contest. The national event is held each year in Washington, D.C.

O-M seniors take ski trip to Greek Peak

ODESSA, Feb. 5 -- Fourteen seniors at Odessa-Montour High School participated Saturday in a Senior Ski Trip to Greek Peak. While there, they went skiing, snowboarding and tubing and enjoyed the Adventure Water Park.

Front Row from left: Brittany VanAmburg, Katelin Pierce, Sydney Eberhardt, Adam Gardner, Ryan Gardner, Matt Bleiler, Felicia Johnson and Morgan Shutter

Back Row from left: Chaperone Brad Stephens, Kirsta Rhodes, Principal Chris Wood, Mike Hughey, Tom Peckham, Dakota Simpson, Dom Chapman and Lee Sidle. (Photo provided)

Anti-bullying message being brought to Glen

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 5 -- Jamie Nabozny, a nationally known anti-bullying advocate, will bring his message of tolerance and respect to Watkins Glen High School students during an assembly at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 in the auditorium.

According to his website, jamienabozny.com, Nabozny grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin. During middle school, he was targeted by bullies for being gay. His years of harassment ended with a beating that put him in the hospital and required abdominal surgery. Following that incident, he moved to Minneapolis.

Nabozny decided to fight back after he realized that many other young people endured similar bullying. With the help of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Jamie won a landmark lawsuit in federal court that establishes that all young people -- including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered -- deserve a safe educational experience.

Recently, the Southern Poverty Law Center produced a documentary titled “Bullied” that chronicles his life. Nabozny now speaks out for the millions of kids bullied in our schools every day and was recently named a Defender of Human Rights by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.

Nabozny’s presentation on Thursday will include video from “Bullied,” followed by his comments and a time for questions.

Pre-K applications available at WGES

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 1 -- Children who will be 4 years old on or before December 1, 2013 may be eligible for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program at Watkins Glen Elementary School. To request a copy of the application, call the Elementary School main office at 535-3250.

Completed applications should be returned to the Elementary School by March 31. In-house registration help will be provided at the Elementary School from March 4-7, if necessary.

The following items must be included with the completed application:
• Child’s birth certificate
• Immunization record
• Physical exam completed after September 5, 2012
• Proof of childhood lead testing
• Completed health history form
• Three proofs of residency (utility bills, lease agreement, tax bill, etc.)

Applications without this information will not be considered. For more information, contact Laurel McIntyre, school counselor, at 607-535-3250.

Glen district starts with $1.1M deficit

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 23 -- The Watkins Glen School District is facing a $1.1 million deficit at the outset of budget deliberations, the Watkins Glen School Board was told at its meeting Tuesday night.

"That's the bad news," Superintendent Tom Phillips said. "The good news is we're $1.2 million ahead of last year, when we started with a $2.3 million deficit."

The deficit estimate is based on staffing at full strength -- not taking into account possible retirements. Phillips said there are three of those confirmed, with a couple of more possible.

The deficit estimate was presented to the School Board by district Business Manager Gayle Sedlack based on state aid figures received earlier in the day from the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo released his executive budget Tuesday afternoon.

The $1.1 million deficit includes an estimated increase of $354,917 in the tax levy, the maximum permitted under the tax cap.

Most of the deficit, Phillips said, is caused by increases in teacher retirement and employee health care costs. The two combined, he said, are up about $890,000.

Two things helping cut the deficit from last year's $2.3 million, he added, are the single bus run at the beginning and end of each school day -- on track to save more than 150,000 miles from the previous double run -- and reduced use of the Middle School as the district moves closer to the single-campus concept approved by voters.

The board will in the coming months whittle away at the deficit. "There's lots of work to do," said Phillips.

Photo in text: From left, Superintendent Tom Phillips, Board President Brian O'Donnell and board member Gloria Brubaker at Tuesday's meeting.

Learn honored by state association

HORSEHEADS, Jan. 14 -- Alice Learn, former Odessa-Montour School Board president and a member of the GST BOCES Board of Education, has been recognized by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) for her efforts to expand her knowledge and skills in school governance.

Learn, a representative for the O-M School District on the BOCES board, was honored at the BOCES board meeting on Jan 8. She has served on the BOCES board since July 1. She previously served on the O-M School Board for 22 years.

She received the Board Achievement Award for her participation in NYSSBA developmental activities, including the New Member Academy, the Board Officers Academy, the NYSSBA Annual Convention, legal conferences, regional workshops and district-level improvement programs.

Photo in text: GST BOCES District Superintendent Horst Graefe (right) presents Alice Learn with the Board Achievement Award. (Photo provided)

Hall of Fame Committee seeks nominations

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 11 -- The Watkins Glen High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for outstanding Athletes, Coaches or Benefactors.

Athlete inductees must have graduated from WGHS prior to June 2007. In addition to athletic excellence, inductees should have displayed outstanding character, leadership and sportsmanship.

Nominators should include specific statistics and data to support their nomination, including, but not limited to: league, sectional or state recognition; All-Star Status; MVP or other special award recognition; or participation in college or adult athletics. Other considerations might include the athlete’s role as a team captain or as a record holder. Photocopies of supporting documentation are extremely helpful.

Submit nominations by March 1st to: Alan Gregory, Athletic Manager, Watkins Glen High School, 303 Twelfth Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 or by email at AGregory@wgcsd.org.

Nomination forms may be found on the Watkins Glen School District website under Athletics, or may be requested through the regular mail by calling 607-535-3280.

O'Donnell won't seek re-election to Board

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 31 -- Watkins Glen School Board President Brian J. O'Donnell will not seek re-election to the Board this coming spring.

O'Donnell, a retired Watkins Glen High School principal who started in the district as a 4th Grade teacher in 1969 and is completing his third term on the School Board -- including four years as Board President -- says he has informed Superintendent Tom Phillips and the other Board members of his decision.

"It is my belief," he wrote in an e-mail to The Odessa File, "that three three-year terms have enabled me to contribute some ideas and thoughts to our District and to help make decisions for the benefit of our students. I have enjoyed my association with (Superintendent) Tom Phillips and the Board members immensely and am very proud to have been a part of the process to consolidate our students and programs onto one campus, to return our students to a 'common' time schedule and to help position our District as positively as possible to face the challenges of declining state aid and the 2% tax cap.

"We have a great forward-looking and very energetic/enthusiastic Superintendent, very involved and hard working Board members, and a caring and dedicated administration and faculty/staff who all put the welfare and safety of our students first, who work hard to maintain program and personnel to keep our students competitive with those from any other district, and who continually work toward increased student academic achievement while -- at the same time -- being sensitive to the needs and resources of our residents and taxpayers."

O'Donnell said that he and his wife are "looking at purchasing a home in Horseheads, but nothing is finalized at the moment."

O'Donnell, who also served as interim principal at Odessa-Montour High School in the 2005-06 school year, has been associated from the outset with the annual Top Drawer 24 celebration honoring two-dozen area high school student-athletes. The team is subtitled The Brian J. O'Donnell Schuyler County Scholar-Athlete-Citizen Team in his honor. He serves on the team's selection committee, and has introduced each honoree at all seven of the annual celebrations, held at the Watkins Glen State Park pavilion. He will continue in that role.

Photo in text: Brian O'Donnell (File photo)

Braedan Fitch performing "Home," for which he was named "Overall Champion."

WGHS musicians show their talent at show

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 22 -- Students at Watkins Glen High School got a special treat Friday: a show featuring the musical talents of some of their classmates.

The annual event in the school auditorium featured a dancer, a violinist, pianists, vocalists and a comedy skit. All were greeted with enthusiastic applause by their classmates.

The event was sponsored by the Student Council, which provided monetary awards in five classifications at the end. Winning were:

Crowd Favorite: Jesse Bloodgood for a song he wrote, "Synchronized Suicide." He accompanied himself on piano, with his brothers Ben and John providing backup.

Most Original Performance: A competitive drum duet by Braedan Fitch and Alva Greist.

Standout Performance: A tie between Taylor Kennard, playing piano and singing "Arms," and Elise Groll and Sarah LaMascus, who performed "Call Your Girlfriend" while using plastic kitchen containers as bongos.

Judges' Choice: Jess Littler, a young lady who moved here from Australia last year and brought with her an amazing ability to play the violin. She offered a mix of styles and moods in what was described as "Tasmania violin music."

Overall Champion: Braedan Fitch for his guitar and vocal solo of "Home," a song made popular by American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips.

Other performers Friday included:

Gabby LaRosa, singing "Skinny Love"; Zack Kelly, playing guitar and singing two original songs, "True Love Prevails" and "Free State of Mind"; Natasha Patel, with a Bollywood dance routine; Aaron Sagar, playing a classic rock anthem, "Breaking the Law," on guitar; a group of girls -- Haley DeNardo, Sarah Wickham, Megan Dupuy, Lynn Caslin, Chelsea Kennard, Sam Gill, Lindsey Suddaby, Halle Phillips, Madison Gates and Alexis Naylor -- performing a comedic number, "Elf City"; Elizabeth Reed playing Haydn's "Serenade" on flute; Megan Dupuy singing a Nickelback hit, "Far Away"; Brenton Whiting playing guitar and singing "Fell in Love with a Girl," and playing piano and singing "Showtime: Haunting Piano Refrain"; a quartet of musicians -- Thomas Richtmyer, Mike Olmstead, Alva Greist and Braedan Fitch -- performing "Back in Black"; and Jesse Bloodgood -- with backup from father Tom, brothers Ben and John, and friend Nick Dalrymple -- playing the piano and singing "A Medley in A Minor."

Two videos were presented at the beginning of the program -- "The Ring" by Daniel Cornelius and Kyle Hancharick, and "The Pen: A Day in the Life of ..." by Braedan Fitch and Brenton Whiting.

Photos in text: From top: Taylor Kennard at the piano singing "Arms"; Brenton Whiting singing "Fell in Love with a Girl"; and Jess Littler performing on the violin.

Jesse Bloodgood at the piano singing "Synchronized Suicide."

Left: Sarah LaMascus (left) and Elise Groll singing "Call Your Girlfriend." Right: Gabby LaRosa singing "Skinny Love."

Elizabeth Reed performing Haydn's "Serenade."

Left: Talent show emcee Morgan Atwood. Right: Natasha Patel dancing.

A group of 10 students performing "Elf, Elf City Chicks!"

Members of the Hanlon Fifth and Sixth Grade Band perform Jingle Bells.

Hanlon students present Holiday Concert

ODESSA, Dec. 20 -- Third through sixth graders at Hanlon Elementary School performed instrumental and vocal songs Wednesday night at an annual Holiday Concert at the school.

The Third and Fourth Grade Chorus sang Holiday Lights, Be a Santa Medley and On a Starlit Night.

The Fifth and Sixth Grade Band then performed Jingle Bells and St. Nick's on the Housetop.

The Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus concluded the concert with Rocking Round the Christmas Tree, Cold and Fugue Season, and Grinch! A Choral Medley.

Michelle Voorheis directed the band, while Kim Laursen was the choral director. Sally Michel was the accompanist.

Photo in text: The Hanlon Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus sings Grinch! A Choral Medley.

The Hanlon Third and Fourth Grade Chorus performs at the concert.

An artist's rendering of the single campus as it will look when viewed from the north.
(Image provided)

Single-campus plan reviewed

Watkins School Board gets update from engineers

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 18 -- The start of site preparation work that will turn the 12th Street Watkins Glen School District property into a single campus is set for April.

The $24.6 million project calls for the eventual closing of the Middle School on Decatur Street, with the students at that school moving to the single campus. That transfer has already begun, with the Middle School reduced by one grade this year.

The project was reviewed by architects and engineers Monday night at a workshop session of the Watkins Glen School Board.

Key to the start of the project is State Department of Education approval, which the engineers said is expected by February. That would be followed by a bid advertisement, and an awarding of bids in March.

“The big question remaining is the bids,” Superintendent Tom Phillips was quoted as saying. “It’s economy-driven, and they should get a lot of interest. People are hungry for work right now.”

The project, approved by district residents in a vote late last year, will be most visible on the school's north end, where new district offices will be located and where the school library will be expanded. The school cafeteria will also be enlarged.

The facility's old swimming pool, located in a room adjacent to the swimming and diving pools now used by the district, will be converted into a gymnasium for middle school students. It is expected to be ready for the 2014-15 school year -- as are all other facets of the single-campus conversion. They include auditorium improvements, classroom additions, roof repairs, wireless and security camera improvements, window replacements, and heating and plumbing upgrades.

The following meeting summary was provided by the school district:

Brian O’Donnell started the meeting with a pause to remember those 26 victims of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut at the Sandy Hook Elementary School this past week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the community for their loss and their shattered lives.

Mr. O’Donnell commented that we are mindful and vigilant of our responsibility to do everything in our power to keep our children safe.

Approved/accepted/acknowledged the following consensus items:
--Approved Substitute List Additions
--Accepted CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2013 beginning at 5:45 p.m. It is anticipated the regular session will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. following executive session.

Tom Phillips thanked the Board of Education and the community for their support implementing the upcoming Capital Project. Moving to a single campus will be a potential savings to the district in the future.

Following the regular meeting, the workshop began with the presentation from Welliver McGuire Inc. and Hunt Engineers on the Capital Project concerning the scope of the project and its timeline.

Image in text: Another view of the north end of the school complex as it will look after completion of the capital project. (Image provided)

The WGHS Band's horn section performs at Thursday's concert.

WGHS presents annual Holiday Concert

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 14 -- Watkins Glen High School instrumental and choral students presented an annual Holiday Concert Thursday night in the school auditorium.

The concert opened with the Flute Ensemble presenting Danse des Mirlitons (from "The Nutcracker Suite").

The Chorus opened with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and followed that with Fum, Fum, Fum, The Water is Wide and O Holy Night.

The Concert Band then played A Vision of Majesty, The Marriage of Figaro and John Williams in Concert (a medley of the composer's most popular musical themes).

The concert closed with the Combined Band and Chorus performing It's The Holiday Season.

The chorus was directed by Matthew Craig, and the band by Diana Groll.

Photo in text: Seniors Braedan Fitch, left, and Brenton Whiting sing during the chorus' performance of O Holy Night.

The WGHS chorus performs The Water is Wide.

Members of the Odessa-Montour High School Band perform.

O-M holds Jr.-Sr. High holiday concert

ODESSA, Dec. 13 -- Odessa-Montour junior and senior high school music students presented an instrumental and choral Holiday Concert Wednesday night in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The Junior High School Band directed by Michelle Voorheis offered three pieces: All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth), Festival of the Eternal Lights, and Christmas Bits & Pieces.

The Junior High School Chorus directed by Clarice Miles performed Keep on Following The Star, Not Another Fruitcake, Please! and March of the Kings.

The Senior High Band, also directed by Miles, played We Need A Little Christmas, A Carol Triptych, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas (with William Christoffels, dressed in thematically correct nightclothes, reading the poem aloud) and And The Herald Angels Sang.

The Women's Chorus performed A Festive Noel and Artist of a Winter Night.

The Senior High Chorus played Welcome, Yule!, Winter Bring Me Home (with Christoffels again narrating, this time in formal attire), Come, Follow That Star and Light a Candle. They finished with Silent Night, the audience joining in.

Miles also directed the Women's and Senior High Choruses. Sally Michel was accompanist for each of the chorus presentations.

Photos in text:

Top: The O-M Junior High School Chorus, which sang three songs.

Bottom: William Christoffels narrates 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with musical accompaniment.

Members of the O-M Junior High School Band perform.

The O-M High School Chorus sang several songs, closing the concert with Silent Night.

The Women's Chorus sang A Festive Noel and Artist of a Winter Night.

WGHS schedules holiday concert

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 30 -- The Watkins Glen High School music department will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 in the school auditorium.

(Please note: the snow date for this concert will be Monday, December 17 at 7 p.m.)

The chorus, concert band, jazz band and flute ensemble will be featured. Selections will include: John Williams in Concert, The Marriage of Figaro and It's the Holiday Season.

This concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

Phillips: 'We must have the courage to make changes'

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 4 -- Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips said at Monday night's meeting of the School Board that there is "a challenging budget cycle ahead" and that "my hope is that our State Aid doesn't decrease."

He also read a prepared statement regarding his effort to generate a multi-governmental and public discussion regarding the future course of government and education in Schuyler County. He did not mention consolidation, though that word has been used frequently in recent weeks. In his statement, he said:

"I will be traveling to Ithaca for a meeting with Cornell University staff regarding the possibility of their facilitating community discussions related to the future of Government and Education in Schuyler County. The property tax structure simply cannot support a 'business as usual' approach to the delivery of services moving forward. The community cannot shoulder the burden of shifting costs from the State to the local taxpayer. The issue is really quite simple: With less than 2,000 students countywide, why do we have three separate school sytsems, and how do we reorganize to increase efficiency and quality programming for the children of Schuyler County?

"Similarly in the area of Government, the question is what is the need for eight townships, four villages and all of the duplication of services associated with this structure when the County population has demonstrated a decline?

"The purpose of these meetings, as I see it, will be to provide a forum in which the community can voice their opinions, concerns and ideas as related to the future of Schuyler County. It is clear that the current economic climate with a 2% tax cap, which many local municipalities and the County have already overridden, will not support the existing Governmental and Educational structure. The community must have a voice in identifying solutions.

"My only hope for all of this discussion is that in the end the community will provide support for the development of a path that will strengthen Schuyler County for many years to come. We have so much to be thankful for and now must have the courage to make the changes necessary to ensure our future."

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, and Board President Brian O'Donnell at Monday night's School Board meeting.

A board meeting summary may be found here.

Dozens of girls from Corning, O-M and Watkins Glen schools gathered at Seneca Lodge.

Girls attend empowerment workshop

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 21 -- Seventh, eighth and ninth grade girls from the Corning, Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen school districts took part Tuesday in a Career Development Council -sponsored workshop titled "Life -- Powered by You!" at Seneca Lodge.

The program, one of a series of educational one-day workshops being held in the Southern Tier, was made possible through a grant from the Fund for Women at the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, and additional funding from the Human Resources Association of the Twin Tiers.

The four-and-a-half-hour workshop focused on young women taking charge of their lives, and provided a connection to area professionals. Organizers said that students at Tuesday's session learned both practical and effective tools to positively and successfully impact themselves and their world. Relevant hands-on activities reinforced the ideas taught.

Speakers included Judy Rowe and Amanda Cheever of Corning Inc., Rebekah LaMoreaux and Victoria Young of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, Ralph Diliberto of Watkins Glen High School, Carrie Flasphaler of Serve-U-Credit Union, and Beverly Matern of the Fund for Women committee..

Arrangements and program logistics were coordinated by the Career Development Council, Inc. at Greater Southern Tier BOCES. The program has also been approved for the 2012-2013 program year.

Photo in text: Beverly Matern of the Fund for Women committee addresses the students.

Glen responds to Frame offer

Phillips, O'Donnell want full boards to meet in public

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 20 -- Watkins Glen School District Superintendent Tom Phillips and School Board President Brian O'Donnell have responded to an offer by the Odessa-Montour School District to discuss "mutually beneficial programs that benefit our cost structure."

O-M Superintendent Jim Frame, in a letter to officials at contiguous school districts early in November, proposed a session with each to discuss aspects of consolidation and shared services -- to determine if there are measures that can benefit both parties. The letter to Watkins Glen was to Phillips and O'Donnell, indicating a meeting only with them -- an interpretation buttressed by Frame's comments at a recent O-M board session indicating that he and his board president, Debra Harrington, would be handling any sessions that occurred. The Horseheads district, Frame had said, was the first district to respond to him positively.

Phillips and O'Donnell said at Monday night's Watkins Glen Board of Education meeting that while pleased with Frame's overture -- which came after some media-related criticism regarding O-M's reluctance to discuss consolidation -- they preferred a meeting of the full O-M and Watkins Boards.

And the session should be public, Phillips and O'Donnell said in a return letter to Frame -- "a means of providing for our communities a forum about the future of public education in our County. We are happy to offer our facilities for such a meeting. Please let us know of times and dates that are convenient for you and the Odessa-Montour Board."

That session would be a prelude to one Phillips and O'Donnell hope to effect in conjunction with County Administrator Tim O'Hearn and Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan -- a gathering for public dialogue organized by Cornell University.

O'Hearn, the letter to O-M said, "has reached out to Cornell and there is interest in providing assistance in planning and facilitating" such a community session. "We will be meeting with Dr. Rod Howe, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Vitality from Cornell Cooperative Extension, in the very near future to discuss the department's role in facilitating meetings.

"We look forward to embarking on the journey of positioning our community in a way that will increase our ability to maintain local control, plan for future growth and provide the best educational services and opportunities to all of our children."

Phillips told the Watkins board Monday that through public forums, "we can discuss where we are and where we're going -- learn from the public what it wants, because this is ultimately a community decision" as local governments battle against shrinking revenues and increased costs.

A meeting of both boards, with the public present, would "be simply a meeting to hear the community out, not make a decision," Phillips said. "If the community doesn't want (consolidation), fine. But we can't continue to live like this. And if we don't (hold meetings) and the school districts fall apart, we're complicit."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen School Board members Mike Myers (left) and Brian O'Donnell flank Superintendent Tom Phillips at Monday's meeting.

William Christoffels delivers the Gettysburg Address during the O-M concert.

O-M concert honors veterans

ODESSA, Nov. 8 -- Odessa-Montour High School band and chorus members honored our veterans with a Veterans Day concert Wednesday evening in O-M's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The band played "Elegy for the U.S.S. Arizona" and "Lincoln at Gettysburg," the latter accompanied by a reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address by area resident William Christoffels.

The chorus sang "Thank You, Soldiers," "I Hear America Singing" and "The Glory," the latter with a trumpet introduction by student Olivia Scata. Vocal solos were offered by Alisha Chamberlain on the first song, and by Morgan Stermer on the final one.

Both band and chorus were under the direction of teacher Clarice Miles. The chorus was accompanied by pianist Sally Michel.

Photo in text: Area veterans sat in the rear of the auditorium, listening to the stirring music.

Left: Dana Roberts played percussion. Right: Olivia Scata performed a trumpet introduction for the choral presentation of "The Glory."

Student Morgan Stermer, center front, performs a solo during "The Glory."

Phillips, O'Donnell elaborate
on need for consolidation

'This cannot be about my school vs. your school, my team vs. your team.'

WATKINS GLEN, Nov 6 -- Consolidation -- a byword lately -- took center stage again Monday night at a Watkins Glen School Board meeting.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, Board President Brian O'Donnell, and board members Tom Richardson and Joe Fazzary all touched base on it, with all saying that merger itself is not a viable option -- and with Phillips describing the law under which mergers operate as "inept at best ... a hindrance rather than a help."

Their comments came in part in response to their attendance recently at a meeting of the New York State School Boards Association in Rochester, where merger and consolidation -- growing topics across the state -- were much discussed.

What can work, they said, is consolidation in one or more of its various forms, a subject Phillips discussed at length. Not mentioned overtly, but there between the lines, was the ongoing tendency of the adjoining Odessa-Montour school district to sidestep consolidation talks. Phillips' statement follows:

"On the issue of consolidation," Phillips said, "I want to begin by saying there are two ways to view this issue. The first is to ignore reality and hold on to what we have and risk the ability to control our own destiny.

"The other view is to use data such as student demographics, shrinking State and National resources (now add Hurricane Sandy into the mix), the Tax Cap, and unfunded and underfunded mandates, and one quickly sees the fact that we are faced with increasingly difficult financial challenges as growth in expenses continues to outpace revenue streams as we plan for our future.

"Ultimately, and I believe most importantly, the focus of this consolidation effort must be to position our community in a way that we in fact increase our ability to maintain local control, plan for future growth and provide the best services to our children as well as the taxpayers of our community. This must be our only goal!

"This cannot be about my school vs. your school, my team vs. your team. This discussion must be about strengthening the opportunities we provide for the children of the Schuyler County community and how we can best work together to the benefit of all children of Schuyler County now and in the future.

"We already have a model in existence. Look at the Schuyler County Youth Programs…. from Soccer to Pee-Wee and Youth Football, Softball and Baseball, Gators and the Finger Lakes Basketball Camp. How do I know? I know because my daughter was able to benefit from many of these community offerings. As for academic opportunity, we can only imagine by pooling resources what the possibilities could be for enhancing programs. We must focus on identifying ways to improve the delivery of public and educational service at reduced or at the very least contained costs.

"Most local leaders realize that we can no longer conduct business as usual and that if we don’t take a proactive approach to chart our own destiny, the State of New York through the implementation of the Tax Cap will surely do so for us.

"To this end I attended a Council of Government meeting (where the county and all of its towns and villages are represented) recently and voiced this very concern. Additionally, County Administrator Tim O’Hearn, Legislative Chairman Dennis Fagan, School Board President Brian O’Donnell and I met last Thursday to discuss the possibility of facilitating meaningful community discussion and achieving sustainable outcomes related to potential restructuring of the delivery of public and educational services in the County.

"As a result of these meetings I am very pleased to report that Tim has reached out to Cornell University and there is interest in providing assistance in planning and facilitating this community dialogue

"This county has so much to offer and the potential for strong sustained economic growth is a reality. We must all be willing to roll up our sleeves, accept the reality of the current situation and use this reality as the basis for evaluating the present and planning for the future.

"I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but as a community committed to preserving opportunity for our children, I believe together we can and will find them. This won’t be easy, but as Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said: “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Added O'Donnell in a statement:

"Schools and governments are seeing reduction in personnel and services as the only way to survive; the reality is that you don't do 'more with less'; you do 'less with less.'

"Being proactive -- rather than just waiting until the State decides what we will 'look like' -- may help us identify the appropriate ways we can continue to offer the service to the people we serve.

"We have to believe that we DO have a bright future. How we do business in the future may differ from how we conduct business today; we do need to work to attract business and industry and grow as a county, and we need to see what we can do to reverse population trends which show our younger people growing up and moving away, and our population aging and on very fixed incomes."

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips reads his statement at Monday's meeting.

Phillips revisits his League remarks; O'Donnell backs him

To share or not to share -- that is the question:
Whether 'tis wiser in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of dwindling fortune
Or to join arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them ... (With apologies to William Shakespeare)

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 2 -- That was the evident sentiment Monday night as the Watkins Glen School Board and Superintendent Tom Phillips revisited a theme plumbed by Phillips at a recent Schuyler County League of Women Voters luncheon meeting.

That talk by Phillips -- recounted on this site in a column (here) -- was raised by the superintendent at Monday night's meeting of the Board after he cautioned its members that the health insurance plan the district currently shares with Odessa-Montour, Waverly, Elmira Heights and GST BOCES appears to be in financial difficulty that could negatively impact the district's budget unless a joint solution by its participants is found. A meeting on the issue is set for Monday, Oct. 15.

That led to him saying his League remarks were "not willfully engaged in, but in answer to a question from the audience" regarding the need for three superintendents in Schuyler County -- a reference to the jobs held by Phillips, O-M Superintendent James Frame, and Bradford Superintendent Wendy Field. Field was also at the League session.

The point, Phillips told the board, is "there is a real need for the Schuyler County community to come together and look at the state of public education, athletics and extra-curricular activities and decide what we can afford. If something is not done, we know what we currently have will not be sustainable. I want to compliment the Board; it's tried in five of the seven years I've been here to reach out (to Odessa-Montour) for discussion, for a broad sharing of services. We need really, truly to engage our communities. I shared that with the League, and will continue to say that. To think we can continue losing hundreds of thousands, even milliions of dollars of state aid with expenses going up and with a tax cap -- we need to resolve what we can do to still be around.

"If we don't start driving the train, education as a whole, our entire system, will fall apart. The governor said when he took office that he'd like to see one-third fewer (school) districts in the state. If we're in a stronger position when the state comes calling, we can say this is what we've done, this is why we are solvent, this is our plan for the future."

Board member Tom Richardson, after first saying "we need to proceed carefully," noted of Phillips' League remarks: "I think you handled it well."

Board President Brian O'Donnell weighed in, too. "There used to be state money available for mergers," he said. "Not any more. There is going to be absorption of (weaker) districts as they are dissolved (by the state). We should know where we're going before the state tells us where. I agree with Tom."

Added Phillips: "I understand we have to move slowly and diligently, but there is no money. Public schools in the region can't sustain (programs) when they're hemorrhaging money. So why not local control?"

Said Richardson: "We're not just talking about O-M and Watkins Glen. Look at Trumansburg and Newfield. They merged their football teams."

"Yes," responded Phillips, who noted that Corning schools merged their sports programs, as did Elmira. "And Elmira Heights and Horseheads are sharing facility maintenance and talking about sharing transportation. Why is Schuyler County immune to this? The door is open."

Winter Coaches: The board approved winter coaching appointments, a list with familiar names on it. Returning as head of the boys varsity basketball team will be longtime coach John Fazzary, with David Waite as volunteer assistant and Jim Scott running the JV squad. Chris Clark will return as girls varsity basketball coach, with Harold Chaffee as volunteer assistant and Alicia Learn overseeing the JV team.

Jennifer Conklin will be back for a second year as coach of the boys varsity swim team, Nils Watson will return as varsity wrestling coach, and Ward Brower will once again be the varsity bowling coach.

O-M receives Rewards School designation

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Sept. 23 -- Odessa-Montour High School was recently identified as a Rewards
School by New York State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr.

This honor recognizes that O-M has shown significant progress in student achievement as compared to all high schools across New York State. Commissioner King announced that 250 schools out of 4,730 statewide earned the designation.

"We are filled with pride," said Superintendent Jim Frame. "This designation confirms what we have known all along -- great teaching and commitment yields fantastic results for students. I personally am proud of our faculty and staff, who work so hard for our students and this community."

Odessa-Montour High School was designated a school in need of improvement when Frame came to the district eight years ago. "We have made a steadfast commitment to empowering our students to do their best through careful curriculum alignment, thoughtful reflection on the assessments we give and constant professional development for faculty to employ best teaching
practices," said Frame.

Schools were assessed on student performance on state ELA and math tests, graduation rate, gap closing, adequate yearly progress and graduating at-risk students.

Applications available for scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 21 -- The Southern Finger Lakes Women, a chapter of New York State Women, Inc., has announced the availability of application forms for its 2012-2013 Women’s Scholarship Program.

The program provides financial assistance to a woman furthering her education or seeking a professional certificate or license. To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a female and at least 25 years of age by Sept. 1, 2012.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be currently enrolled or accepted into a higher education institution leading to a degree
or enrolled in a program working toward a professional certificate or license during the
2012-2013 school year.
• Demonstrate clear career plans.

Preference will be given to applicants who are residents of Schuyler County and/or are
employed by a business or agency in Schuyler County.

Completed applications must be postmarked by October 15, 2012. Failure to submit a complete application may result in elimination from consideration.

For further information, or to obtain a copy of the application, contact Patti Butler at (607) 742-5942. The scholarship winner will receive her award at the November 19, 2012 meeting of the Southern Finger Lakes Women at Carol Bower’s Catering, Cass Road, Montour Falls, NY.

New York State Women, Inc., provides members with professional development, networking, and career advancement resources. Its mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

The Southern Finger Lakes Women chapter meets on the third Monday of each month. For more information about the group, contact Gloria Hutchings at (607) 594-2489 or JoAnne Krolak at (607) 732-1171. For more information about the Women’s Scholarship Program, contact Patti Butler at (607) 742-5942.

WGHS grad Bond earns Dean's List status

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, Aug. 30 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a freshman majoring in biochemistry at the University of Rochester, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the spring 2012 semester.

Bond, a resident of Watkins Glen, is the daughter of Christopher Bond and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is a private research university located on the south shore of Lake Ontario.

Changes in store for returning WG students

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 22 -- Changes in school schedules and grade-level organization will greet students when Watkins Glen schools open on September 5. The changes are the result of
the district consolidation plan approved by voters last December.

First, all district schools have new start and end times this year:

Elementary School: 8:05 a.m.-2:40 p.m.
Middle School: 8:10 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
High School: 8:05 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

Also, the new start and end times will allow the district to reduce to one bus run for all students. The move to a single bus run will save approximately $85,000-$90,000 annually, said Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Finally, the district¹s fifth-graders will now be housed at the Elementary School. This is the first of a series of grade-level organization changes that will result in the closing of the Middle School building in September 2014.

WG's 2012-13 bus routes

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 27 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District has released the following bus-route schedule for 2012-2013 -- its first year on a new one-run system.

SOUTH

Bus # 65 Driver – Sheila Cody

Cronk Rd, Gano Rd, Allen Rd, Price Rd, L. Johnson Rd, Roloson Hollow Rd, Vanderhoff Rd, Beaver Dams- Moreland Rd, CR#18, CR 17 to School

Bus # 68 Driver – Paula Wallenbeck

Walt Gilbert Road, State Route 414 North, Beaver Dams – Moreland Rd, Catlin Hill Rd, Pearl Street, DeMunn Rd, Mill Hill Rd, Coykedall Rd, Steuben Street/CR16 Hill to School.

New Run Beaver Dams Area

414 Hill, Wedgewood Rd, Meads Hill Rd, Hedden Rd, Baker Hill Rd, Bronson Hill & State Rte 414 Stop, Bennett Rd, State Route 414 to School

Bus # 58/71 Driver – Lisa Shrout

Cooley Rd, County Route 19, Townsend Rd, VanZandt Hollow Rd, State Route 329 to School

Bus # 63 Driver – Lorena Clark

County Route 16, Sugar Hill Rd, Lovers Lane, County Route 21 to School

WEST SIDE OF LAKE

Bus # 57/70 Driver – Mike Smith

Stamp Rd, Pre-Emption Rd, Beach Rd, County Route 27, Ray Roberts Rd, Cross Rd, Irelandvill Rd, Country Route 28 to School.

Bus # 66 Driver – Ken Clark

State Route 14, Spencer Rd, Country Route 29, Altay Rd, Cross Rd, Church Rd, State Route14A, County Route 28, Jennings Rd , Abrams Rd to School.

Bus # 59 Driver – Terry LaFever

Old Rd, County Route 27, Ray Roberts Rd, County Route 23, Tower Hill Rd, Wollock Rd, Aikens Rd, VanVleet Rd, Beach Hill Rd, County Route 28 to School.

51am/48pm – Judy Pearce/John Lutomske

Station Rd, Ellison Rd, VanZandt Hollow Rd, County Line Rd, Burrell Place, Steuben Street Hill Stops, 6th & Madison Ave to School.

EAST SIDE OF LAKE

Bus #64 Driver – Skip Opdyke

Beckhorn Rd, County Route 1, Wardner Corners Rd, Dugue Rd, Round School House Rd, Fausold Rd, Ball Diamond Rd, Tichenor Rd to School.

Bus # 67 Driver – Michelle Beyler

Willow Street, Satterly Hill Rd, Mathews Rd, County Route 2, State Route 414 to County Route 5, Tug Hollow to School

Bus # 61 - Driver – Robert Barlow

Reach Orchard Pt Rd, State Rte 414 and Lake Street, Covert Rd, Middle Rd, Howard Ave to School

Bus # 60 Driver- Gloria Scranton

Route 79 (Burdett Hill), County Route 4, Texas Hollow Rd, Tuttle Rd, Dean Rd, State Route 79 between Tuttle Rd and County Route 4 to School.

Bus # 69 Driver – Pam Arcangeli

Rt 79, Tuttle Rd, Rt 227 , Heaverly rd, Rt 227, Texas Hollow Rd, to School.

Bus # 54 Driver – Betty DeLong

County Route 9, County Route 8, County Route 7, Drew Rd, Dolphsburg Rd, Lake Street,, Main Street Burdett to School

Bus #50 Driver – Roger Willis

8th & Porter, 6th & Perry, 5th & Porter, 2nd & Decatur, N Madison Ave, Salt Point Rd, N Summit & Reading Rd, N Glen Ave, S Glen Ave, Lakeview and 2nd Street to School

O-M's 2012-13 bus routes

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Aug. 21 -- The first day of school will be September 5, 2012.

Please remember to have your child at the bus stop 5 minutes before the arrival of the bus. For children Pre-4 a parent needs to be visible before a driver can release your child unless other arrangements have been made. These times are approximate. Please call 594-3341 Ext. 3978 if you should have questions

BUS 22 Driver: Jan Martz
Winton Road (7:00), Fitzpatrick Hill (upper 7:03),Lower Middle Road (7:05), Crans Road (7:08), Frost Hill (7:10), CR15 (7:20), Jennings /Stewart Road (7:30), Hitchcock Rd. (7:35),Jackson Hill Rd., CR 15 (7:40)
BUS 27 Driver: Doug Daugherty
Grant Rd. (6:55), CR 6 (7:05),Cayutaville Rd. (7:10) SR 228, Willett Rd.( 7:20), SR 228 South, Fowler Place, Coddington Place (7:40)
Bus 29 Driver: Tina Forney
Drew Rd. (7:15),Mill Road (7:20), CR 8 (7:23),North L’Hommedieu 7:25), Main/Mulberry (7:30),North Catherine St., Clinton Street (7:30), Ayers St., Broadway (grades 3-12), Hayes Hill (7:33), Cotton Hanlon Rd., Owens Place (7:40)
Bus 30 Driver: Jeremy Hoffman
SR 13 North (7:02),Rice Road (7:07), Varney Hill 7:12),SR 224 (towards Cayuta),SR 13 South to red light, SR 224
Bus 31 Driver: Ed VanAmburg
SR 13 towards Horseheads (7:05), Hall Road( 7:08), Parrott Road (7:13),Seeley Rd/ SR13 (7:25), CR14 (7:30), Pertl Rd. (7:40)
Bus 33 Driver: Bill Brooke
Belle Cornell Drive (7:15), College Ave/Main (7:25), College/Walker (7:25), Owego St. (7:30),Lee St., Canal St (7:35), Main Street (Library), Raymond St (7:40), Upper Havana Glen Road
Bus 34 Driver: Michelle Evans
Steam Mill Rd. (7:08), CR 10, Oak Hill (7:15), Oak Hill/Allen St (7:20), CR 11 (7:40)
BC CATE RUN: NORTH L’HOMMEDIEU (8:00), HAVANA GLEN ROAD (8:05)
Bus 35 Driver: Robert Wixson
Shuler Road (7:00), Culver Road (7:05), Enfield Center Road (7:10), Harvey Hill (7:15), Weatherby (7:20), Chapman Road (7:25), SR 228 (7:35),Cottage Road, Cool Lea Camp Road, South Pine Road, SR 228
Bus 37 Driver: Robyn Hough
Beranek Road (7:05), CR 14 (7:10), Cr 15, Ridge Road (7:20),Acker Road (7:25), Beardsley Hollow (7:30), CR 14, Mitchell Hollow (7:40)
Bus 38 Driver: Andrew Hill
Genesee St (7:05), SR 14 to Millport (7:10),Fitzpatrick Hill (lower 7:25), Havana Glen Rd. (7:30), South L’Hommedieu (7:35)
BC CATE RUN: MAIN/MULBERRY 8:05
Bus 39 Driver: Meghan Button
Carly Road (7:00), Steam Mill 7:10),Newtown Road (7:15), Grover Road, Fitzgerald Road, Bergen Road (7:30), Havens Road (7:35), Lisk Road (7:40)
BC CATE RUN: COLLEGE AVE MF (8:00), OWEGO ST 8:05
Bus 40 Driver: Ron Hoffman
Newtown Road (7:10), Texas Hollow (7:15), Upper Foots Hill (7:20), South Hill (7:25), Coats Road (7:30), CR 7
Bus 32 Driver: Chuck Vary
BC Cate run for the villages of Odessa and Montour Falls Grades Pre k – 2
Village of Odessa - Merchant Ave (7:10), Church Street (7:15), Brooklyn Terrace (7:20), Cotton Hanlon Rd. 7:25)
Village of Montour Falls – North L’Hommedieu (7:35),Broadway, Clinton (7:40), Main St., Henry St (7:45), Main St. (Library), Genesee St (8:00), South Street, Montour Street, Raymond Street, Canal Street

Reunion photo

This photo is a holdover -- overlooked in The Odessa File files for several weeks -- from the early summer gathering of Watkins Glen High School alumni in town for a weekend reunion. In this case, it was the Class of 1982 getting together. (Photo provided)

Phillips: Assessment moves by Inergy, Walmart 'not beneficial to our district'

For meeting summary, click here.

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 7 -- The Watkins Glen School District is facing a potential loss of an estimated $270,198 in revenue through assessment reductions of about 50 percent sought by the Inergy corporation and Walmart.

And that, Superintendent Tom Phillips told the School Board Monday night, will have "a very negative impact" on the district as it faces another difficult deliberation leading to the 2013-14 budget.

"We'll be starting a quarter of a million dollars in the hole," Phillips said. "We'll have to take from reserves to close the gap, even before we look at state aid and federal aid. We'll be down $270,000, which quite frankly we can't afford."

The businesses' assessment-reduction requests, which are sought on the county level, go before a State Supreme Court judge on Aug. 17, and both Phillips and School Board President Brian O'Donnell said they hope the judge considers "the impact on the school district."

"To take a hit (like that) at this point," said O'Donnell, "it would be next to impossible to maintain our programs" at their current levels.

Phillips said the $270,000 equates to "about four positions" in a district where 15 were trimmed during last school year's budget deliberations.

School Board member Tom Richardson hastened to point out that if the assessment reduction is upheld, "we won't be losing four positions" in the coming school year. But Phillips said that such a revenue hole could in fact lead to a loss of positions in the next budget and, thus, in the 2013-14 school year.

Inergy, which owns the old U.S. Salt property, has a current assessment of $29,578,801 and is seeking a reduction of $15,015,170, to $14,563,631. The estimated loss of school taxes would total $186,188.

Walmart -- which five years ago agreed to an assessed value of $12,400,000 for a five-year period -- is seeking a reduction of $6,775,000, to $5,625,000. The estimated loss of school taxes would be $84,010.

Receipt of this information was "a little disconcerting," said Phillips, adding: "I understand their assessment position, but I believe it is the responsibility of community members to support the community at large ... where they do business. If this is upheld, the impact will not be beneficial to our district."

Concluded O'Donnell: "This is very serious."

Photos in text:

Top: School Board President Brian O'Donnell, right, with Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Bottom: District Clerk Marie Keefer and School Board member Tom Richardson.

.Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/

Watkins Glen School Board

Meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Unless otherwise stated, Board of Education meetings are held in the Board Room at the high school, next to the guidance office, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (These are open meetings usually following a 5:45 p.m. Executive Session).

Residents of the district are invited to attend board meetings and observe the deliberations of the board.

Board members are as follows:

Thomas Richardson

119 Durland Place

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-7472

Brian J. O’Donnell, President

101 Willow Drive

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-4871

Joseph Fazzary

310 8th Street

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-2543

Michael D. Myers, Vice President

3650 Rose Lane

Burdett, NY 14818

546-5375

Gloria Brubaker

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Kevin Field

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Kelly McCarthy

Each of the board's seven elected trustees serve three-year terms of office. The terms are staggered so two or three board members are elected each year.

An organizational meeting of the board is held each July. During this meeting, board
members elect a president and vice president.

Members serve on various board committees, including Personnel, Curriculum, Buildings and Grounds, Transportation and Finance. Much of the board’s work is done through these committees.

Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/